Why You Should Carry a Pocketknife With You Every Day

My dad never left the house without his keys, a pen, and a pocketknife. I recall him swiftly offering to open packages, cut string, or remove splinters at a moment's notice. By having a pocketknife on him at all times, my father had his own do-it-yourself solution for a multitude of daily tasks. I've always admired that self-sufficiency, and in recent years I've strived to emulate it by carrying my own knife or multitool with me wherever I go.

I've found that carrying a small knife with me every day can be liberating—all because of those small DIY victories.

Knife or Multitool?

My preferred everyday carry is a small manual-assist knife with a blade no more than 3 inches long. I've found that size to be sturdy enough for tasks that involve prying or puncturing, but small enough to remain unnoticeable and easy to secure in my pocket with a clip.

I have various Leatherman and Swiss Army knives with five to 15 tools apiece, but I've found them to be a bit bulky to carry in my pocket, and I'm not the type to wear belt loop cases. I've found these are better kept in a glovebox or desk drawer—not riding shotgun in my front pocket.

That said, a couple of new multitools have me reconsidering my position. The new Shuffle DIY from Kershaw and the Q1 Baton from Sog offer a variety of tools without all the bulk.

There is a trend of taking the multitool out of your pocket and transforming it into an everyday item. The Sog Sync doubles as a multitool and belt buckle, while the Leatherman Tread features 29 tools that can be worn as a bracelet. These would be great solutions for someone who wants the utility of a multitool without having to carry one in their pocket.

Everyday Carry Knives

My Kershaw Cryo folding knife has been my trusty companion for years. It opens with a flick of my finger and locks in place. It only weighs 4 ounces and the blade is less than 3 inches long, an ideal size for my pocket. At 3 inches, it's also large enough that I can really put some leverage into it when cutting. The matte gray color doesn't attract attention, and best of all it's only $27.

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Gerber, CRKT, and Benchmade are also well-known for producing quality everyday carry knives. Prices vary based on the quality and durability of the handle, blade, and opening mechanisms. Titanium knives can cost hundreds of dollars and are extremely lightweight, but a plastic handled knife with a quality stainless blade can sometimes perform just as well. And then there's the trusty, old-school Opinel, which is equal parts fantastic, simple, and dirt cheap.

Milwaukee Tool has recently jumped into the utility knife field with their Hardline knives. They are not as refined as the knives I've already mentioned, but they are extremely durable and the action is smooth. These are knives you can throw in your tool chest without worrying about them getting dinged up.

The classic woodgrain Buck pocketknife is a gentleman's everyday carry. This knife holds three blades of various sizes, and that's it. It also gets better with age and will serve you well, whether opening a letter at the office or cutting some rope at the campground.

Finally, my dad's favorite, the Swiss Army Classic SD pocket knife. It's got a blade, file, scissors, tweezers, and a toothpick. I've seen him use all five tools, but I've found the scissors to be the most handy and unique among multitools. He always sticks to the classic red, which may have been the only color available when he started using them, but now you can choose from 35 colors including Tiger Stripe, though I don't think that design is quite my dad's style.

The best bet is to start with your budget, identify the features that are most important to you, and get to shopping.

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